Alex Gordon leads offense as Royals sweep Rays doubleheader

Alex Gordon entered Tuesday with a .262 batting average and an .811 OPS. He left Kauffman Stadium that night with a .280 average and an .853 OPS after seven hits, a key role in two victories over the Rays and one X-ray on his right hand.

The examination occurred between games of this doubleheader. Gordon was hit in the right hand. He remained in the game, and later launched a home run in Kansas City’s wild, 9-5 victory in the afternoon game. In the more muted, 7-1 victory in the evening, Gordon matched a career best with four more hits.

“When he’s going through times of struggle, you know that these stretches like this are right around the corner,” manager Ned Yost said. “He can get a hit and all of a sudden be as hot as a firecracker for a week, 10 days, two weeks. It’s fun to see. He had a big, big day today. Carried us offensively.”

Gordon wore a protective wrap over his hand after the second game. He passed the initial strength and movement tests, and the X-ray was negative. After the discomfort faded, his swing was not affected.

“I just felt comfortable,” Gordon said. “My swing felt more loose today, a lot [more free]. I was just sitting the ball, letting it get deep and driving the ball the other way. Which I felt like I haven’t been doing as much this year.”